Staying Close

Travel support is available to help you get where you need to go and stay connected with the people, places and activities that matter to you. The aim is to make travel easier and reduce any barriers, so you can take part in opportunities that feel important for you.

Support can be flexible and shaped around your situation, and may include:

• A National Railcard (1 or 3 years) to make longer journeys more affordable
• Help with travel costs so you can spend time with family and friends
• Support to travel to social activities, groups and Staying Close events
• Bus tickets to help you get around locally
• Theory test fees if you’re working towards driving (car or moped)
• Other reasonable travel support, depending on your needs

The focus is on helping you feel connected, included and able to access opportunities, education or employment. Travel should not get in the way of building relationships, trying new things or taking positive steps forward.

If you would like to explore this further, talk to your Leaving Care Worker or Social Worker.

An Employment Coach offers relaxed, one‑to‑one support and takes time to really get to know you first. There is no pressure to jump straight into job applications. The focus is on building trust, confidence and understanding what you want, whether that is entering education, employment or training.

Support can include:

• Taking time to build a relationship before any focused work begins
• Talking about your interests, strengths and what feels right for you
• Exploring different routes into work, training or volunteering
• Helping you plan practical things, like how to get to an interview
• Supporting you through the whole interview process
• Talking things through afterwards, whatever the outcome

Support moves at your pace and you stay in control of what you work on and when.

If you would like to explore this further, talk to your Leaving Care Worker or Social Worker.

Run by Charis, Roots is a welcoming programme for young people who have arrived in Somerset either as an unaccompanied asylum seeking child or a separated young person, without a parent or legal guardian. It is designed to help you settle in, feel safe and start building a sense of belonging in your new community.

Roots acts as a gentle ‘landing pad’ when you first arrive. The focus is on helping you feel supported, on getting to know people around you and on taking your first steps towards feeling at home.

The team understands that arriving in a new place can feel unsettling – being away from family, friends, culture and everything familiar. Roots offers a caring, community based space where you can begin to feel more grounded and supported.

Support through Roots includes:

• A safe, welcoming place where you can feel accepted and included
• Time to build positive, trusting relationships with others
• Support to help you prepare for everyday life and college
• Opportunities to build confidence and independence
• Help developing your language skills in a relaxed, supportive way
• Mental health and wellbeing support at the heart of everything

What a typical week looks like

Roots runs as an 8 week rolling programme, meeting four days a week. Each day is relaxed and structured to support wellbeing, connection and learning, with space to go at a pace that feels manageable for you.

If you would like to explore this further, you can talk to your Leaving Care Worker or Social Worker.

Run by Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership SASP.  SASP offers supportive, one‑to‑one and small group sessions designed to help you feel better in yourself, build confidence and try new things in a calm, welcoming way. The focus is on getting to know you, building trust and supporting your wellbeing in a way that feels right for you.  

Support can include:

• One to one support with a mentor who takes time to listen and understand you
• Building confidence, at your own pace, with encouragement and support
• Taking part in activities or sports together, based on what you enjoy or want to try
• Joining community sports groups to meet others and feel more connected
• Having someone to talk to about worries, feelings or things that feel difficult
• Opportunities to work towards a qualification and become a Jump Start ambassador

There is also a dedicated group for young women, offering a safe, supportive space to connect with others, build confidence and focus on wellbeing together.
SASP is about feeling supported, finding what works for you, and taking small steps towards feeling healthier and more confident – with support that fits around you.

If you would like to explore this further, you can talk to your Leaving Care Worker or Social Worker.

Future Fit, run by Compass Wellbeing (Taunton) is a relaxed, welcoming fitness and wellbeing group. It is a chance to move your body, feel stronger and enjoy time with others in a supportive, no pressure environment.

Sessions run every Wednesday 10.30am to 11.30am and are led by an experienced instructor who will guide you through the session at a comfortable pace. Activities can include a gentle warm up, resistance training, weights and aerobics, with time to cool down at the end. You do not need to be ‘fit’ already – sessions are about joining in at your own level.

After the session, everyone is invited to stay for a free group breakfast in the Wellbeing Café. There are different options available, including vegetarian choices and it is a relaxed space to chat, connect and start the day together.

Key details:

• Exclusively for Somerset care leavers aged 16 to 25
• Wednesdays 10.30am to 11.30am
• Followed by a free group breakfast
• Free to attend – booking is essential
• Based at Compass Wellbeing, Belvedere Trading Estate, Taunton
• Free parking available

Future Fit is about feeling good, building confidence and being part of something supportive.

If you would like to explore this further, talk to your Leaving Care Worker or Social Worker.

Somerset Youth Theatre offers a welcoming, creative space where you can come together with other young people to design and shape silent discos across Somerset. The focus is on getting to know you, building confidence and supporting your wellbeing through creativity, connection and shared ideas.

This is a calm, friendly space where your voice really matters. You do not need any experience – just an interest in being involved and trying something new. Everything is led at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

You will work with supportive staff and other young people to take things step by step, whether that is sharing music you love, thinking about how a space should look and feel, or helping plan parts of an event.

Support can include:

• Being part of a small group where you’re listened to and encouraged
• Helping choose and create playlists for silent discos
• Exploring lighting, atmosphere and the overall vibe of events
• Getting involved in planning and behind the scenes roles
• Building confidence through teamwork and shared creativity
• Meeting new people and feeling more connected through a safe group activity

You do not have to enjoy dancing or being centre stage – there are lots of different ways to get involved. Somerset Youth Theatre is about creating together, feeling supported and having fun while building confidence and connection.

The group is shaped by the young people who attend, so your ideas help decide what happens and how things develop over time.

If you would like to explore this further, you can talk to your Leaving Care Worker or Social Worker.

Run by FordHaven, Future Foundations is a supportive offer for care leavers aged 16 to 25 across Somerset, created to help you build strong foundations for your future in a safe, caring and welcoming way.

Future Foundations is a place where you can feel at home, feel listened to and take time to make positive memories while you think about what is next for you. The focus is on connection, encouragement and helping you feel supported as you grow in confidence and independence.

Support can include:

• A safe, friendly space where you can feel comfortable being yourself
• Opportunities to build positive relationships and feel part of a community
• Support to develop confidence, life skills and independence at your own pace
• Chances to join group activities, social events and shared experiences
• Encouragement to explore your interests, strengths and future goals

FordHaven understands that everyone’s journey is different. There is no pressure to rush or have everything figured out. The aim is to support you step by step, in a way that feels right for you.

Future Foundations is about creating stability, building relationships and helping you feel more confident about what lies ahead, while knowing you have a supportive place to return to.

If you would like to explore this further, you can talk to your Leaving Care Worker or Social Worker.